Public urged to avoid Chinese lanterns over Halloween

The public are being urged not to use Chinese lanterns as part of Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations.

Thousands of events are expected to take place up and down the country but the NFU has asked people to think twice about releasing any lanterns into the countryside over both weekends.

NFU government affairs adviser Nick von Westenholz said: “Halloween and Bonfire Night can be fun events for all the family and we hope everyone will enjoy them safely and responsibly.

“We hope, however, that people will refrain from using Chinese lanterns or releasing them into the countryside as part of celebrations. Even though the fire risk is reduced at this time of year, lanterns continue to pose a risk to livestock, either to those still out in their fields, or at a later date when fallen lanterns go undetected.”

The NFU has received numerous reports of harm to livestock, and in some instances death, caused by cattle ingesting the metal wires contained within the lantern frames.

The union is also concerned about the bamboo frame used in the construction of most lanterns, which are very durable and prone to splintering, and continues to monitor potential problems similar to those found with metal wires.